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S&W Model 91 Guatemala Marked

13 visible archived posts · 13 preserved total · topic ID 3214

Dave 21 Sep 2009

I am new at collecting handcuffs and picked up a pair of Smith & Wesson Model 91 (I believe this model was introduced in 1958). This pair does not have a serial number stamped on them anywhere. The left rear body is marked: GUARDIA CIVIL GUATEMALA, C.A. and the right rear body has a triangle with (3) 5 point fancy stars at top, a bird in the center and letter -G inside an oblong C with a U underneath. The left front body is marked: MADE IN U.S.A. MARCAS REGISTRADAS SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD. MASS. The right front body has the S&W logo. The box end label is printed: Smith & Wesson Polished Nickel Model 91 and the bottom of the box is marked in white: GUATEMALA.
Can anyone tell me when these were made and why they are marked this way and why a serial number was excluded? I hope I can post these photos.
Thanks,
Dave
dltvette@comcast.net

Dave 21 Sep 2009

Try posting photos again.

grenchat 22 Sep 2009

In my 30+ years of experience with Smith & Wesson handcuffs, Ive yet to come across a pair with the markings you have described. Your cuffs were most likely stamped or engraved after they left the factory.

Regards,
Jason

Stan Willis 22 Sep 2009

I have an identical pair. I believe they were made for the Quatamalan Army or National Police on contract, and they are definitely factory marked. That's the reason there is no serial number. I have another pair of early S&W cuffs that do not have a serial number or name or logo, but came in a box with the US military contract markings.

Dave 22 Sep 2009

Jason,
If they were marked after they left the factory, why wouln't they have a serial number on them like the other 91's I have and have seen?
I wish I could figure out how to post pictures here. I set them up in photobucket but can't seem to transfer them in a post.
Dave

Dave 22 Sep 2009

Stan,
That is exactly lik the ones I have. The bottom of the factory box is marked GUATEMALA in some type of white ink.
Dave

Stan Willis 22 Sep 2009

I checked the cuff that I said has NO markings and was made on military contract, and it has the S&W logo on one cuff and that is the only marking. No serial number. The box (NOT the standard blue box) shows it as a model 95, and is dated 10/73.
Stan
As usual, the pictures are from my CD of the collection, which is available at
www.handcuffs.US.com

Stan Willis 22 Sep 2009

My box for the Model 91 also has GUATEMALA in white letting on the bottom of the box. It is handwritten. Mine is new in the box and never used.
Stan

grenchat 22 Sep 2009

Interesting.
The Guatemala marked cuffs are also of the first version form.
I was obviously mistaken about the stampings.

Regards,
Jason

Dave 22 Sep 2009

#10

Stan,
Mine are also NIB, wrapped in S&W paper with 2 keys, never used. In 1954 there was a CIA orchestrated coup known as PBSSUCCESS, which saw Jacobo Arbenz toppled and forced into exile by Colonel Carlos Castillo Armas. I was wondering if these were made for that time.
Dave

grenchat 22 Sep 2009

#11

I've also wondered exactly when they changed to the latter form. I mentioned in another thread that I've acquired a pair of 938s with a first version lock case yet both the detents and swivels are definitely second version style. This only became apparent when I compared them to my first and second version model 91s.

Unknown / guest 23 Sep 2009

#12

"Stan,
Mine are also NIB, wrapped in S&W paper with 2 keys, never used. In 1954 there was a CIA orchestrated coup known as PBSSUCCESS, which saw Jacobo Arbenz toppled and forced into exile by Colonel Carlos Castillo Armas. I was wondering if these were made for that time.
Dave"

It sounds plausible that the CIA might send a CARE package consisting of S&W cuffs and a few other goodies to help support the Armas government.

If you e-mail me the pictures Ill be glad to post them for you.

Jason

Unknown / guest 23 Sep 2009

#13